In a quiet little home on a Canterlot street, just a quick walk away from the park, a mother was getting a little filly to bed with practiced ease. The filly was a light blue in colour with bright auburn hair. The mare chuckled as she whined for ‘five more minutes’ like most common fillies did. She was part of a group all fillies her age participated in called the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Apparently they were in every town, fillies trying to get their cutie marks. It was a very big thing in Canterlot, having an annual fair for the kids who participated.
Finally agreeing to go to bed in return for a story, her wings came alight with activity, and she fluttered into the air and bounced onto her bed as her wings stopped holding her aloft, sending the pillow carefully placed there to the floor. The mother gently levitated the pillow back onto the bed, and covered the filly in a blanket enamoured with the cutie mark of the Wonderbolt captain, Rainbow Dash.
“Ok dear, what story do you want to hear tonight, how about the adventures of Smokey the bear?” The mother gently sat upon the end of the filly’s bed, her light blue body and crescent shaped hairstyle perfectly fit her cutie mark, making it stand out without being too off-putting. It was a wand with some magic coming out of the tip.
“Nooo I’m sick of Smokey, he always complains about unicorns starting forest fires but never actually stops them from burning down the forest! I know, tell me about the time The Great and powerful Trixie defeated the Ursa Major.” The mother chucked at her daughters enthusiasm, and nodded, picking a place to begin.
“Well, as we both know Trixie had just run away from her second meeting with Princess Twilight Sparkle before she ascended.” She paused, and the filly nodded. There was no hostility in her voice, in fact she almost sounded like she considered the entire affair with a certain fondness.
“It was shortly after arriving in another town, looking for work, that Trixie managed to find herself stranded and in debt to this bar-mare who was well aware of it and was hell-bent on getting her to work it off. The problem with this was that Trixie didn’t have any place to stay, nor any food and the amount she would make would not be enough to cover her fare for that day, so her debt would only increase.
“And that was when, he stepped in…”
Trixie was tired of this, and she was going to make it known! How dare this mare offer her a way to pay her debt, which would result in more work. When the lodging had offered a free room and meal she had jumped at the chance without reading the fine print. And now she was working it off while incurring more debt, and she had no way of getting out if it ‘legally.’
“The Great and Powerful Trixie is not working here anymore! Trixie is grateful for the room and food, but Trixie is not standing by this a second longer!” Trixie headed for the exit, but once again the mare’s big and unnaturally large husband blocked the exit.
“You are not leaving until you pay every bit!” Trixie gritted her teeth, and stomped her hoof. To make matters worse the stallion was a unicorn, meaning magic would not get her out of this situation.
“Excuse me miss, but how much do they owe?” All three turned to look at the newcomer, someone who had been watching the debacle from a table after grabbing a drink. The mare huffed and pulled out the bill.
“382 bits, including tax,” she replied to the stallion. Trixie took him in. He was a light red pegasus, almost rust coloured over his body, and his hair was a pale white. His cutie mark was some kind of black and white square with words on it and the top half open. Trixie thought she had seen it somewhere, but couldn’t remember where. The stallion fished into his bags and pulled out a pouch and counted out the money on the counter.
“I believe this means she and you are square now and you can allow the mare to leave?” The couple glanced to the money, and then to each other and growled, taking the money and stepping aside with a huff.
“Fine, but she better not come back here again.” Trixie blinked in shock, her mouth falling open as she gazed to the colt that had just paid her freedom.
“Staring isn’t a crime in these parts, but it’s a bit rude miss-Trixie wasn’t it?” Trixie blinked, shaking her head and gave a loud humph.
“The Great and powerful Trixie does not care if she is rude or not, but-er” her confident and commanding voice faltered, and she glanced at him nervously before glancing to the ground.
“She…is very thankful to the stallion who rescued her from the clutches of the peasants who has yet to say his name…” The colt chuckled, and Trixie flushed in response before glaring at him. His grin grew, much to her annoyance.
“I’m Action Shot, and you are very welcome.” Trixie glanced again to his cutie mark and tried to connect the dots. Her stance relaxed now she knew she was around more friendly company. However they were still receiving glares, so as he motioned toward the door, Trixie followed him out into the dry and dusty air and they began to walk around the town.
“Trixie wishes to know about your cutie mark-er if you wish to tell her that is.” After being in character for so long, it was hard for her to not be her stage character, which resulted in the crossing of wires when she talked. He smiled, and nodded in understanding, a faint smile might have appeared on her face in response.
“I’m a director of sorts. I find settings and make theatre performances out of them. However I have to travel a lot to find new adventures, sometimes putting myself in danger sadly. But it provides an interesting plot device” he chuckled, and Trixie nodded in understanding.
“The Great and—Trixie understands the predicament as a stage performer herself.” Action raised an eyebrow, and mocked surprise.
“A stage performer? Oh wow I could hardly guess from the way you continued to speak of yourself in such grandeur.” Action then proceeded to do a very crappy impersonation of Trixie to Trixie’s standards. She glared at him, huffed and increased her pace so he couldn’t see her face flush in embarrassment.
“Trixie thinks your impersonation is poor at best.” Action threw his head to the sky and laughed loudly, and Trixie tried to hide her own smile.
“I am so sorry Dear Trixie, I cannot hide that I am inferior to your obvious skills, I am nowhere near as great and powerful are you are. I am merely the moderately awesome and meagre power Action!” Trixie spluttered, and glanced back at him as he glanced to her, and glanced away quickly to hide the smile rising on her face. As they walked they began to talk about their likes and wants, and slowly began to become fast friends, having similar jobs and working with similar people.
They decided to team up on Action’s latest travel plans, Trixie heading in the same direction anyway. On the way there they planned on visiting a few hotspots where Action was hoping that the people who resided so close to danger would have some amazing stories to tell. In one such house they-
“Mooom,” the filly whined, “skip to the Ursa.” The mother mocked shock, and gasped.
“But then their struggles seem meaningless, what about the scene where they meet the talking fruit?” The filly faked throwing up to show her displeasure, and she chucked in response.
“Alright alright, I’ll skip up to where they find out about the Ursa, will that appease miss grumpy no-fruity pants?” The mother tickled the filly, who whined in between laughing. After settling back down she nodded and the mother began telling the story.
“Well then, skipping all the good parts of the story and getting right to the endgame, Trixie and Action eventually made it to the last town on their tour, a ramshackle place on the edge of the Everfree. Of course Trixie was apprehensive with coming here after leaving once again in disgrace, but Action led her on.”
Trixie didn’t want to be back in Ponyville, especially after what happened the last time she was here. All she wanted was to curl into a ball and roll all the way back to the previous town. But Action insisted they come here before heading to Canterlot. Trixie had been forced to explain why she didn’t want to come, and even then he had insisted.
“You left on friendly terms, trust me you won’t regret it.” And with no way to rebuttal his words without sounding like a little filly, Trixie grumbled her reluctant acceptance. Action had smiled, and then tried to cheer her up by telling her the tales of the ‘Mediocre and Powerless Action.’ Trixie couldn’t help but feel a connection with the colt, they shared very similar jobs, wore similar masks most of their lives.
But did she dare call him a friend? No, she shouldn’t let herself think such poisonous thoughts. He was a companion for now, and nothing more. Action probably had a mare in Canterlot anyway. Someone as attractive as Action was bound to have one.
“Trixie?” Snapping out of her meek and irritated silence, she raised her head and turned toward the sound of the voice. Her eyes widened as she realised it was Twilight. Twilight glanced between her and Action, and then put on a hesitant and shaky smile.
“Hi, I’m Twilight, it’s-uh-nice to see you again Trixie, what brings you and your new…friend here…” Action was quick to read the situation, and he was suddenly all smiles as he forced Trixie to follow him towards Twilight.
“Hi Twilight, I’m Action Shot. I see you’ve met Trixie, how is it you two know each other if you don’t mind me asking?” Trixie glanced toward him before turning and paying attention to the very nice looking grass to their left.
“Uh, well it’s nice to meet you Action Shot. We met when she hosted one of her shows here and things got a big out of hand and an Ursa Minor got involved…” Action raised an eyebrow as Twilight spoke, and she scratched the back of her head in response.
Action shot leaned in, “So does that mean there might be a Ursa Major around?” Twilight flinched, and Trixie’s head jerked around in fright.
“Well yeah, but why do you want to know-“ Twilight shook her head and rubbed her temple. Action short wilted, and he began to pout.
“I just wanted to see a real life Ursa Major once in my life.” Twilight paused and looked at him seriously, before musing for a moment.
“Hang on, let me check something in the library.” Twilight turned around and began heading toward her home and entered through the door. Trixie grimaced, and then turned on Action.
“Trixie has to ask, ARE YOU INSANE? What are you trying to do to Trixie, give me-her a heart attack?” Action rolled his eyes and leaned in.
“Listen, you and Twilight need to get over this tension right here and now, and I really would like to see an Ursa Major once in my life. Where’s your sense of adventure?” Action’s tone got sadder and sadder as he talked to Trixie’s ‘I’m not doing this’ face. Trixie grimaced again, and turned away to hide her guilt.
“I lost it when we got kidnapped by Wereponies.” She could literally feel him wilting behind her as she spoke, and she sighed in defeat.
“But fine, one last adventure, for you.” She heard Action squee in delight, before dive-bombing her to the ground. She growled in response.
“Oh Trixie, I love you!” They both flinched, and the moment was snapped in two and bludgeoned to death. He got off and glance away.
“Sorry, it won’t happen again,” he muttered. Trixie stood up and brushed herself off and turned to look in the opposite direction as she spoke.
“Good” she replied. Trixie’s ears dropped slightly in sadness, before she quickly discarded such thoughts. Behind her, Action was doing the same. They were both thinking how the other must have a special somepony by now.
“I’ve got it,” shouted Twilight as she walked out, jolting the two out of their melancholy. Action recovered quicker, and smiled as he waited for the good news.
“You’re in luck, it’s not hibernation season so they will probably come out of a night to feed. So if we hide out nearby we should be able to get a good glimpse of the Ursa’s as they exit the cave.” Twilight nodded to herself, excited for an opportunity she wouldn’t have considered if one hadn’t suggested it.
“Oh thank you Twilight this is perfect! So when can we leave?” Action was nearly jumping for joy, Twilight couldn’t help but giggle. Trixie rolled her eyes and growled in annoyance. Just because he could act like a little kid doesn’t mean he should.
“Tonight, I’ll prepare the items we’ll need and meet you here at dusk.” And so Trixie and Action left Twilight after a quick farewell, and headed into town.
“Should we get a bite to eat Trixie?” Trixie barely registered Action speaking for a moment, before nodding. They ate, they talked, they mocked each other’s masks, and they passed the time. Eventually dusk rolled around, and they headed back, at ease in each others company.
“Ok lets head out,” spoke Twilight as she took charge. Trixie and Action fell into step, and the silence resounded. They made their way to the cave in absolute silence. Action opened his mouth a few times as if to say something, but would glance to Trixie and close it again. As they arrived at a tree a good distance away from the cave, Twilight began explain to Action what they would do.
“I’ll cast a cloud walking spell and we’ll sit on top of this tree here. Do you think you could gather some clouds for us to rest on? This close to the Everfree it should be likely there’s a few clouds around.” Action saluted her, and flared his wings and took off in search of some good clouds, leaving the two alone. Twilight could of course help but she felt it would be wasted effort. Even as an Alicorn she wasn’t a very good flier nor very good at moving clouds. She could do it, but it took her three times longer then a pegasus. After Action left it was silent for a moment, before each turned to the other and opened their mouths.
“Trixie I-“
“Twilight listen-“
They paused, and then Twilight chuckled. The tension relaxed slightly, and Twilight began speaking.
“Trixie, I’ve always wanted to ask you a question.” They sat down and gazed toward the sky, Trixie waited for Twilight to continue.
“Why is it you travel so much?” Trixie glanced to Twilight as she spoke, and then returned her gaze to the sky.
“I’m searching for something.” Twilight looked to Trixie, and waited for her to continue. Trixie noticed her looking, and shrugged.
“That’s all there is to the story. I could say because my work tends to make other ponies dislike me, or because I have no reason to settle, but the truth is I am searching for something.” Trixie raised her hoof to the sky, and gazed at the gap it left in her view of the sky above.
“I do not know what it is I am searching for, but once I find it I will know what it is.” Twilight nodded in understanding, raising her own hoof, wings flaring, and they watched the stars come out.
“I found what I was searching for not in the books like I thought I would, but in the ponies around me. Maybe you just need to look at things in a different light.” Twilight put her hoof down and folded her wings.
“Mmmmn” replied Trixie, realising as soon as they were alone she had slipped out of her mask. She wondered what it was about Twilight that allowed her to talk so normally. Musing over it, she realised it was because she held some respect for Twilight. Twilight was her rival, her goal.
“One day I will surpass you, in magic, skill, and other such stuff.” Twilight glanced to her, and smiled and glanced back up to the sky.
“One day…In certain aspects you already are better then me Trixie. I could never get a crowd to listen to me so easily, like you did on that first day…” Trixie and Twilight shared a glance before Trixie turned away.
“Yes-Well…The Great and Powerful Trixie is of course better in some areas then others. It cannot be helped if she is more perfect in some areas than others.” Twilight chuckled, and they fell into a relaxed silence.
“I’m back” spoke a voice from above, and they both glanced upward to see the treetop was covered in a decent layer of clouds. Twilight cast the spell on Trixie and with the help of Action they all landed on the cloud, and just in time. The ground rumbled, and out came the Ursa Minor, shortly followed by the Major.
The Minor easily dwarfed them in size, able to see above the treetops with ease. The Major seemed to be small at first, but once out of the cave it grew to an astronomical size.
“Amazing” marvelled Twilight. It was made out of stars, and looking absolutely fearsome. It was the size of a mountain, and could probably eat them so easily escaping seemed impossible. Action was standing upright, stuck to the spot half by fear and half by wonder.
And then they were noticed.
“Look out!” Twilight was fast, putting up a shield in a matter of seconds, however the Major simply slice through it like butter, but it gave them enough time to leap out of the way. Landing on the ground, Action slowed Trixie’s fall before landing himself and glancing to Twilight.
“What do we do!?” Twilight was already charging a much stronger spell, and as she cast it another barrier appeared. She glanced to Trixie.
“Help me!” Trixie didn’t hesitate, their lives were on the line, her magic joined with Twilight’s. The shield was slightly stronger, but not by much. Twilight looked to Trixie, and Trixie nodded. Twilight broke off, and suddenly the spell was calling on only Trixie’s energy to hold it up, she gritted her teeth and groaned, kneeling under the strain of a much higher level spell then she could cast.
The Ursa Major began the next attack just as Twilight began to cast the teleport spell. It’s claw slammed into the shield, Trixie collapsed and it vanished, shattering like glass. The Major had aimed for Twilight, hitting her in the side and grazing her. If it wasn’t for Trixie’s shield managing to throw the aim slightly off, she would have died.
Twilight screamed, and the spell backfired and with a burst of magic they were slammed into a nearby tree, Twilight falling unconscious. Action groaned, wincing as his wing hung limply beside him and his leg was turned the wrong way. Trixie got lucky in that regard, the spell hurt her, but she only got bruised. She was the only one conscious enough to see the next strike coming.
Trixie’s face scrunched up, and she tried to imitate Twilight’s spell, calling a very weak shield. The Major had gotten tired of playing with them and had decide to let the Minor play with them, which was the only reason Trixie managed to keep them from being torn in two. The shield shattered, but the claw missed them.
Tears began to well in her eyes, her determination wavering and she forced herself to rise back up and call up another barrier. She saw Action was watching her, eyes wide with fear.
“Get…out…now!” Trixie gasped at the effort to speak, falling to the knees but managing to keep the spell going. She heard him shuffling in what she assumed was away, the shield would let him pass through, as she saw the next strike come toward her. This time it was more serious, she wouldn’t be able to stop this one enough to survive the hit.
Suddenly a hoof forced her head to look to her left, and she met eyes with Action.
“I just wanted to say before we all die that I find you extremely attractive and would love it if you would please go out with me” he spoke, calm despite the situation.
And then he kissed her.
The Ursa Minor’s arm came down and hit the shield.
The shield didn’t even budge.
In that moment Trixie finally understood what she had been searching for all this time. It wasn’t fame or fortune, or any of the things she had thought she wanted.
She wanted love, and friendship.
“And I think that’s enough for tonight” the mother whispered, looking to her filly who was sleeping soundly. Walking out of the room, she met the smirk of her husband, and they embraced as they walked down to the living room.
“So when are you going to tell her who this Trixie and Action are?” His smile irritated her, and she rolled her eyes as she levitated a pillow off the couch and threw it at him, causing his wings to flare up in alarm before getting a face full of feathers.
“When she’s older, right now she doesn’t need the added fuel. After all not every little filly is the daughter of Lulamoon and Shutterbug, theatre stars of Canterlot.” The colt rolled his eyes and threw the pillow back at her.
“You just don’t want to admit you were a kid too once.” The mother caught it, and crouched as she prepared for a fight to the death. He already had another pillow ready.
“True, EN GARDE!” And thus began the nightly fight for one noble cause or another.
Author's Note
Submission for: http://www.equestriadaily.com/2013/05/fanfic-events-fanfic-events-everywhere.html#more
